Ilan van Wilder & Tao Geoghegan Hart among abandons as Criterium du Dauphine continues to feel effects of mass crash

The peloton continues to feel the effects of the mass crash on stage 5 of the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine. Ahead of stage 7, a number more riders have sadly been forced to abandon.

Among those out of racing is Soudal - Quick-Step's Ilan van Wilder. "Due to the consequences of the injuries sustained in Thursday’s crash, Ilan van Wilder has been forced to stop at the Dauphine," writes an official announcement by the team's social media pages earlier this morning, with Remco Evenepoel losing a key teammate. "Wishing him a speedy recovery!"

Late last night, Lidl-Trek's Tao Geoghegan Hart was also pulled from the race. The former Giro d'Italia winner started the race as the team's big general classification hopeful. A disappointing performance on the stage 6 summit finish however, losing over 20 minutes was perhaps a sign that not all was well with Geoghegan Hart.

"Unfortunately more news to report from Criterium du Dauphine as Tao Geoghegan Hart has withdrawn from the race," announced the Lidl-Trek team via their official social media accounts. "He was suffering today with pain off the back of the crash on Stage 5 and is not feeling 100 percent. Wishing Tao a good recovery!"

Among the other riders to have also stepped off their bike still suffering from the after-effects of the stage 5 crash include Emils Liepiņs of Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL, Clement Berthet of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team, Cristian Rodriguez of Arkéa - B&B Hotels, Logan Currie of Lotto Dstny, Clement Russo of Groupama - FDJ and Cofidis duo Kenny Elissonde and Hugo Toumire.